Published: Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 2:55 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 2:55 a.m.

LAKE WALES | Coming off a state semifinals appearance, the Lake Wales football team isn't talking about winning it all this year.

Under new head coach Tavaris Johnson, the Highlanders are talking about winning the day.

"We tell the kids that all the time," said Johnson, who is using former NBA coach Larry Brown's method of taking a game in chunks and telling his players not to worry about the game, just win the next three minutes. "That's the way we approach this game. We take it in chunks."

The Highlanders also return starters in big chunks, including nine on defense and eight on offense with a small chunk of players lining up on both sides of the ball.

Among the two-way returners is 2013 Polkpreps.com offensive player of the year Justin Henderson, who rushed for 1,676 yards and 28 touchdowns while recording 28 tackles this past season.

But under Johnson, a former wide receiver, the Highlanders are planning to implement some spread-offense attacks, which should keep Henderson's legs fresher in the second half while providing some wider rushing lanes for the 5-foot-10, 206-pound back.

"We are definitely are going to get the wide receivers involved," Johnson said. "Justin is a tremendous player, but we want to share the wealth. And then the defense won't be stacking the box on Henderson. That's the plan. We want to be a balanced football team."

The Highlanders will get one of the toughest spring football game tests in the state when they play Miramar on Friday at Legion Field.

<p>LAKE WALES | Coming off a state semifinals appearance, the Lake Wales football team isn't talking about winning it all this year. </p><p>Under new head coach Tavaris Johnson, the Highlanders are talking about winning the day.</p><p>"We tell the kids that all the time," said Johnson, who is using former NBA coach Larry Brown's method of taking a game in chunks and telling his players not to worry about the game, just win the next three minutes. "That's the way we approach this game. We take it in chunks."</p><p>The Highlanders also return starters in big chunks, including nine on defense and eight on offense with a small chunk of players lining up on both sides of the ball.</p><p>Among the two-way returners is 2013 Polkpreps.com offensive player of the year Justin Henderson, who rushed for 1,676 yards and 28 touchdowns while recording 28 tackles this past season.</p><p>But under Johnson, a former wide receiver, the Highlanders are planning to implement some spread-offense attacks, which should keep Henderson's legs fresher in the second half while providing some wider rushing lanes for the 5-foot-10, 206-pound back.</p><p>"We are definitely are going to get the wide receivers involved," Johnson said. "Justin is a tremendous player, but we want to share the wealth. And then the defense won't be stacking the box on Henderson. That's the plan. We want to be a balanced football team."</p><p>The Highlanders will get one of the toughest spring football game tests in the state when they play Miramar on Friday at Legion Field.</p>